Honouring a Life Fully Lived — Uncle John 🕊️
We never had the opportunity to grow up with grandparents, but Uncle John and Aunty Betty were the closest we had to experiencing that kind of love — the kind that’s steady, wise, and quietly unconditional.
Though we never had the chance to grow up with him as often as we would have liked, we lived this journey of life through the people closest to him — my mum, my aunties, and my uncles — who carried his stories, his values, and his warmth in the way they lived.
I remember Every Christmas when we were younger, we’d visit their home, and Aunty Betty would greet us with a kiss on both cheeks and bless us with the sign of the cross on our foreheads. Uncle John, always cheerful, would greet us with a hearty “Apa khabar?” or offer a drink — his joy was contagious, his spirit unforgettable.
Beautiful Aunty Betty was always so elegant in her saree — graceful, gentle, and filled with quiet strength. Uncle John loved her deeply and faithfully.
Sadly We couldn’t attend Aunty Betty’s funeral as it was during Covid, and today we lay to rest her beloved husband — a true centurion.
I remember making this wooden plaque for him when he turned 99. I wanted to create something that reflected who he was — a man of faith, strength, and deep humility. I wasn’t sure if I’d get to see him again, but by God’s grace, he lived to celebrate his 100th birthday, and we were honoured to share that milestone with him.
He was the epiphany of “If you give all to Jesus, He will give you all.”
And Uncle John truly lived life to the fullest.
He lived through two world wars, the British occupation, May 13, and the many eras that shaped our nation. Through it all, he remained steadfast — valuing home as the safest place, appreciating the simple things, and living by quiet principles:
– “You’re alive when you’re always moving; you’re dead when you’re stagnant.”
– “Discipline starts from home — and home is a safe place.”
– Be committed, be responsible, offer help when needed.
And when asked how he was doing, his classic reply — “Boleh jalan, cukup lah.”
Uncle John is a true legacy. If you walk into Telekom today and mention his name, people will still remember him — the man who helped invent, build, the early communication cables and copper lines.
Thank you, Uncle John, for showing us what it means to live fully, love deeply, and trust completely in Jesus. ❤️
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them.
May their souls, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
